Mission Trails is closest to downtown San Diego, but as @stb222 says, it's pretty much all fire roads and wasn't particularly exciting. I seem to recall some single track there that was probably off limits to bikes, but I don't really remember. I remember liking Sweetwater a lot, and it's pretty beginner friendly. There is some solid climbing, but I don't think there was any tech/rocks.

This is true. When I rode out there last year, I rented a bike from The Bike Revolution downtown (near the Gaslight District) and drove out to Noble Canyon. It's a long but easy drive - basically you're on three highways the whole time. The climb is mostly a paved pathway, but it is long - over 5 miles. Once you get to the top, though, you don't need a chain for the most part - it's downhill the whole way back on singletrack. Fun stuff but didn't feel like I was really doing a typical "ride" - it was just a slog to the top followed by coasting. Aside from a few rocky sections ont eh descent, it required no MTB skill at all. Here is the profile when I rode:

Love Drunk

This is true. When I rode out there last year, I rented a bike from The Bike Revolution downtown (near the Gaslight District) and drove out to Noble Canyon. It's a long but easy drive - basically you're on three highways the whole time. The climb is mostly a paved pathway, but it is long - over 5 miles. Once you get to the top, though, you don't need a chain for the most part - it's downhill the whole way back on singletrack. Fun stuff but didn't feel like I was really doing a typical "ride" - it was just a slog to the top followed by coasting. Aside from a few rocky sections ont eh descent, it required no MTB skill at all. Here is the profile when I rode:

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Following this thread... I’m in La Jolla for work about 5 times a year. I’ve found tons of great hiking but can never find any info on bike friendly trails. The terrain seems perfect for an epic trail... somebody go build one.

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Following this thread... I’m in La Jolla for work about 5 times a year. I’ve found tons of great hiking but can never find any info on bike friendly trails. The terrain seems perfect for an epic trail... somebody go build one.

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Torrey Pines is always fun if only for the views. It’s basically across the street from my job site so I usually hit it up. It’s very “moderate” hiking... tourist friendly trails with guard rails and such... but still an absolutely beautiful park.

I did some epic off the grid hiking not far away from there with a work buddy but I don’t have any info on it...I’ll see if I can find out.